Ferrous Fumarate + Folic Acid
Indications
Ferrous Fumarate + Folic Acid is used for:
Iron deficiency anemia, Iron supplement, Iron deficiency in pregnancy
Adult Dose
Oral
Prophylaxis of iron deficiency in pregnancy
Adult: For pregnant women from 13th wk of gestation onwards: 1 tablet daily.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
For maximum absorption take on empty stomach, but may take with or after meals to minimize GI irritation
Contra Indications
Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, hemolytic anemia (unless iron-deficient state is also present)
Precautions
Avoid use in patients with active peptic ulcer, repeated blood transfusion, regional enteritis and ulcerative colitis. Caution when used in patients with folate-dependent tumours. Not recommended for use during 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Ferrous Fumarate: Oral absorption of iron may be increased when taken with ascorbic acid. May reduce the absorption of quinolones and tetracyclines when taken concurrently via the oral route. Concurrent admin with antacids may reduce the absorption of ferrous fumarate from the GI tract. May reduce the absorption of penicillamine in the gut when taken concurrently.
Folic Acid: Antiepileptics, oral contraceptives, anti-TB drugs, alcohol, aminopterin, methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim and sulphonamides may result to decrease in serum folate contrations. Decreases serum phenytoin concentrations.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Ferrous Fumarate + Folic Acid :
GI disturbance including constipation, diarrhoea, dark stools. Dizziness, Headache, Nausea, Heartburn and epi-gastric pain.
Mechanism of Action
Ferrous fumarate is an iron preparation that is used in the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency. The amount of elemental iron is 330 mg/g of ferrous fumarate.
Folic acid: Required for nucleoprotein synthesis and the maintenance of normal erythropoiesis; folic acid is converted in the liver and plasma to its metabolically active form, tetrahydrofolic acid, by dihydrofolate reductase; prevents neural tube defects in women of childbearing potential and higher doses required during pregnancy.